Jim Boere asked:


Copyright 2005 Jim Boere

An interested visitor who has been strolling through your site has finally come to just what she is looking for and is about to make a purchase. It’s a sunny afternoon, and her cat, who happens to be sitting on the moss under the visitor’s large fifty-year-old snow-rose bonsai tree, suddenly jumps down, and the priceless tree topples over.

In the blink of an eye, your visitor exits your site, and your sale is dust - unless you have had the foresight to utilize an autoresponder that has captured her email address. If you have installed an autoresponder, you can then follow-up with her, and in all probability, make the sale when the poor woman has finished repotting her precious bonsai.

Autoresponders are remarkable, versatile programs that do so much more than just automatically answer your email. Here are a few ideas that will help you to creatively and productively use your autoresponder to transform the casual visitor into a profitable customer. Use your autoresponder to:

1. Publish a newsletter. Certain quality autoresponders will manage subscriptions and follow-up with interested prospects. Your newsletter can keep your visitors informed about your services or products, while building your reputation as a credible expert in your particular business.

2. Publish a newsletter only for your affiliates. Inform them of current sales you are running and of promotional material that your affiliates can use themselves to increase their commissions. Include tips, advice, and techniques that your affiliates can use to successfully go out and promote your business.

3. Write reviews. Cover books, software, music, eBooks, movies, etc., and put each review in an autoresponder. Review your affiliate programs, using a link to your affiliate’s page in your autoresponder.

4. Distribute your articles. Writing and distributing targeted articles is a powerful tool to build your business credibility, bring traffic to your site, and increase your sales potential.

If your articles contain valuable information, many editors will print what is known as a ‘resource box’ for you. A resource box contains your bio and a brief description of your service or product. It can also contain your autoresponder address. Let’s say you’ve written fifty articles. Put them on separate autoresponder accounts and create a master list that contains the titles of each article, the autoresponder address, and a brief abstract. Then promote your master list. Additionally, include your publishing guidelines so your affiliates can add their articles to your list, increasing the number of writers who are represented in your article list.

5. Create mailing lists. Inform subscribers to your articles when you’ve written new ones that they may want to publish in their own newsletter or on their website.

6. Automate your sales process. Use an ad to insure repeated exposure of your message, which has been proven to effectively increase sales. In your ad, put your autoresponder address where a visitor will be exposed to numerous marketing materials. This multiplies the chances of converting visitors into customers. For example, if you’re selling a particular product, put testimonials about how spectacular it is on your autoresponder, and add a detailed, enticing description of your product.

7. Distribute advertising. Let’s say you sell advertising on your website or in your newsletter or eZine. Set your autoresponder to send the information about rates and how to place an ad automatically to all prospects’ email addresses. Then have your autoresponder follow-up. It can also send notification of any special deals you are currently offering.

8. Distribute an email course. Each day, have your autoresponder send out another lesson. Just be sure that each lesson has quality content - not a sales pitch. Your content will do the selling for you, and will do it much more effectively. You can include tips centered on a different topic for each lesson, illustrating how your product will benefit the reader. Include the tangible benefits the visitor will reap by purchasing your product. Make sure to include a paragraph or two at the end of each lesson enticing your prospect to consider making a purchase.

9. Automate a reminder about your service or product after a visitor has completed your course. This will increase the possibility of sales from visitors who have taken your course but are dragging their feet about actually making a purchase. You can also use these reminders to promote new products or services, and the products and services of your affiliate programs.

10. Distribute free reports. This gives your visitor an idea of the type of information you can provide and the quality of your product or service. Make sure these reports are not sales letters or you will more than likely lose a potential customer than gain a sale.

11. Create trivia quizzes on your site and place the answers in an autoresponder. Your visitor will then be motivated to request your autoresponder, and you will have a record of the visitors’ email addresses who took your quiz. Or create a contest and have any visitors that enter send their responses to your autoresponder. Your autoresponder can be set-up to send them a confirmation of their entry.

12. Offer a trial version of your product. Give your prospects a sample of your eBook, course, software, membership, etc. People who are exposed to a little taste often end up wanting the whole pie. You can also capture their email addresses when you offer them a free trial from your website. Set up your autoresponder to give instructions on how to obtain their free trial, and then make sure to follow-up to try and close the sale.

13. Link to hidden pages on your autoresponder. For example, a hidden page could be your affiliate page that contains graphics, promotional articles, and text links that interested affiliates can make use of. Inform visitors that they may have free access to your affiliate page by simply requesting your autoresponder. You will then gather a list of visitors who may be interested in becoming your affiliates.

14. Use an autoresponder on your order page. Post a request form for visitors to be notified of special offers or discounts in the future. This creates a very effective mailing list that contains the names of people who are already your customers.

15. Put your links page on your autoresponder. It should contain up to fifty links that would be of particular interest to your visitors. Make sure to add your own promotional copy at the top or bottom of this page.

Now that you have proof that autoresponders can be used creatively, see if you can come up with some brilliant ideas of your own!



ARAWN

Meryl Runion asked:


From You v. Me to We: Seven Strategies to Talk to Your Communication Opposite

When Jodi said the headphones cost a fortune, Mike was confused. The price tag was $350 – expensive, but a fortune? Jodi speaks in superlatives, and superlatives don’t compute in Mike’s literal brain.

Rory went off on two tangents before returning to his original point. As a systematic communicator, Carlos missed Rory’s conversational detour and was so lost he missed Rory’s point.

What’s going on? What we see here is a failure to communicate due to seemingly incompatible communication styles.

Research pertaining to communication style uncovers four different communication styles that are determined by two factors – pace and people-orientation. “Visionaries” are fast-paced, people-oriented communicators. “Achievers” are fast-paced task-oriented communicators. “Reflectives” are slower-paced, task-oriented communicators. “Likeables” are slower-paced, people-oriented communicators. Each style has its own strengths and weaknesses. And like oil and vinegar, they don’t blend perfectly, but they do complement each other.

Communication skill training is never complete without analyzing communication styles and learning how to communicate effectively with different personality tendencies. Here are some dos and don’ts to help you bridge the communication style gap.

1, Ask the question, what’s my communication style? Take a simple communication test to find out.

Start your communication style development with yourself and your own conversational style. I offer a free communication style quiz on my website at: www.speakstrong.com. It’s also available in my book PowerPhrases! http://www.speakstrong.com/PowerPhrases!.html

Don’t: assume everyone has the same style you do, or that your style is better than others.

Why not? What seems normal to you may seem picky, illogical or undecipherable to someone else.

Do: Know thyself. Get conscious of your own communication style, communication strengths, and communication flaws.

Why: The better you understand how you communicate, the more likely you will be to adapt to different communication styles.

2. Invite the important people in your life to take the communication style quiz.

Once you understand your own style, enlist the interest of others.

Don’t: imply they need to take the test remedially.

Why not? Any implication there is something wrong with their style will create resistance.

Do: let them know you’d like for them to take the test so you can better understand how they communicate.

Why? It presents a benefit to them that is likely to interest them.

PowerPhrase / What to say: “I’m studying communication styles because I’d like to improve my communication skills. Would you take a quiz communication style quiz to help me understand how you communicate?”

Poison Phrase / What not to say: - You need to take this test.

3. Initiate a conversation about conversations with people of other communication styles.

Don’t: continue a conversation that isn’t working when you need a conversation about how you communicate.

Why not? If you are speaking different languages, speaking longer or louder won’t help.

Do: take a step back and discuss how you can bridge the communication barrier.

Why? It’s like rebooting your computer. It gives you a fresh start.

PowerPhrase / What to say: “We seem to be speaking different languages. I’d like to discuss our communication styles and find ways for us to adapt to each other’s style.”

Poison Phrase / What not to say: - You’re not making sense.

Tips for communicating with each of the four different communication styles

4. When you talk to a “Visionary”, make it fun.

Don’t: overload Visionaries with details and don’t expect them to meet your standards for detail.

Why not? Their eyes glaze over from details and you lose them. You set them…and yourself…up for failure when you expect them to embrace a high level of detail.

Do: provide details on a need-to-know basis, and let them know why they need to know it.

Why? Since they don’t love details for detail’s sake, they need to understand how the details fit into their big picture in order to tolerate them.

PowerPhrase / What to say: “Here’s what you need to know to make this happen.”

Poison Phrase / What not to say: - I’m telling you everything because if it isn’t perfect it isn’t right. (Now there’s a formula for overload!)

5. When you talk to an “Achiever”, make it fast.

Don’t: share information they don’t need or initiate a personal discussion in a business conversation.

Why not? They have little patience for anything off purpose.

Do: provide information on a need-to-know basis.

Why? That’s all they want to hear.

PowerPhrase / What to say: “I have two points to make and I need three minutes of your time. Number one…”

Poison Phrase / What not to say: - Hi! Let me tell you about my weekend!

6. When you talk to a “Reflective”, make it logical and accurate.

Don’t: approximate or go off on tangents.

Why not? In a Reflective’s world, if it’s not exact, it’s not right. Reflectives expect conversations to go from A to B to C to D and are not good at following tangents.

Do: be as logical, detailed and systematic as you can. When you estimate, let them know it’s an estimate. Before going on a tangent or changing the subject, warn you listener.

Why? When you let them know you are estimating they won’t assume exactness. When you warn them of a tangent, they know to shift gears and are better able to follow your track.

PowerPhrase / What to say: “I estimate I’ll be there at 2:00. It could be fifteen minutes either side of 2:00.” “This point is off topic…”

Poison Phrase / What not to say: - I’ll be there at 2:00. (When you are actually estimating.)

7. When you talk to a “Likeable”, make it personal.

Don’t: just relay facts.

Why not? Likeables will think something is wrong.

Do: add small-talk, even if it’s only a few words.

Why? Even a few personal words inspire and motivate Likeables.

PowerPhrase / What to say: “I missed you at the meeting. Here’s what you need to know.”

Poison Phrase / What not to say: - Here’s what you missed at the meeting.

Analyzing communication styles and learning how to interact with different communication styles is a vital part of communication skill training. Follow the tips in this article and you’ll be bridging the communication gap in no time.

Meryl Runion, CSP, is a Certified Speaking Professional and the author of four books on communication, phrasing and management. Her books have sold over 250,000 copies worldwide. She can be reached at www.speakstrong.com or 719-684-2633.

Meryl’s free online communication inventory is available at her website. http://www.speakstrong.com/inventory/

She provides keynotes, workshops and seminars on how to communicate with different communication styles. Learn more about them at: http://www.speakstrong.com/teleseminars/comstyletelesem.html



Richard

10x Marketing asked:


It’s already the new year and it’s still early enough to think of new and surprising ways to give your man a great Valentines Day. What man wants for Valentine’s Day can be anyone’s guess, depending on the man.

 

What you need to think of now is what kind of man you have. Sporty? A gamer? Conservative or shy? Once you have established for yourself the kind of guy you have then you can make the decisions about gifts to give.

 

Quick Quiz



Does your man what sports, play sports and wears sporty clothes?

Does your guy cook, barbecue and enjoys new restaurants?

Does your man spend most of his free time with virtual game pals?

Could your man run for president because he is so social and dresses well?

Still undecided on who he is- look below!



 

If this quick quiz has helped you determine what kind of man you have then you may want to match up these gift ideas for fun Valentine Day gifts that are sure to please.

 

Valentine Gifts



For a sporty guy, give some pink golf balls, a subscription to his favorite sports magazine or some red sports socks.

For the man who loves to eat and cook, give the cook book of aphrodisiacs to get him in the mood.

For the gamer in your life, get him a t-shirt with his favorite game on the front, invest in a new comfy gaming chair for him or dress up like a fantasy character.

For the well dressed and social butterfly- a nice shirt and tie or a personal shave and haircut from a prestigious salon will make him look and free great.

Still don’t know- a sensual massage, a home cooked dinner from you or a splurge to a luxury dinner out will make anyone’s day.



 

This Valentine’s Day- think about the personality of who your man is and think about what your man wants when he could have anything in the world. You may even learn a thing or two about who you are as you discover who they are too!



Richard

Daniel Millions asked:


In choosing a directory in which to submit your link, consider the following factors.

First, the directory should have a good reputation. Some directories, especially the newer ones, may not have as much quality control as the more reputable directories. This means, they build link popularity by including almost any site without putting a premium on the quality of the site. Because of this, search engines such as Google give low value to the sites listed in these directories or ban them altogether. It is always better to submit your site to a directory that lists quality links rather than to a directory that accepts any link only to build link popularity.

Other factors are the cost of the listing and the time it takes to process it. Some directories charge a one-time fee of as low as $25 up to an annual fee of as much as nearly $300. The link can be listed in a few days. Free directories are the best option for low-budget sites. The trade-off, however, is the length of time it takes for the link to be included in the directory vary anywhere from a week to several months. In some cases, registration as a member or as a volunteer editor is also required.

This is true for the Open Directory Project or DMOZ (dmoz.org), which offers free listing. The links are screened by volunteer editors, and the processing takes anywhere from one to six months. In the end, however, it is well worth it because DMOZ is regarded as a reputable directory that lists only sites of good quality. As a webmaster, your goal should be to get your site listed in a high quality directory. Big name directories such as DMOZ can send you large amounts of traffic if you get your site listed, and you should make it your goal to get your site listed in the top link directories.

Other directories that come highly recommended are the following:

1. Yahoo Directory The Yahoo Directory ranks second to DMOZ in popularity. Users can get their links listed for free, or choose to pay a fee. Free listing can take months to process. Paid listing is usually completed in a few days. In contrast, it may take you weeks to get your site listed with free directories.

2. Zeal Non-commercial sites are listed for free, but only after completing a 20-question quiz. Processing takes one to two months. On the other hand, commercial sites are paid but are listed within a few days.

3. DM Web Directory provides paid listing. After submitting your link, it will be listed within a few days.

4. JoeAnt is gaining in popularity. Listing is free but requires registration as an editor before a link can be submitted.

5. Gimpsy is another directory providing options for both paid and free listing. Unlike other sites, it lists categories and links as answers to user questions.



Bryan

Moe Tamani asked:


Article marketing is a wonderful tool to gain attention to your business. Article marketing has been around ever since the printing press but it has really taken off in these days of the internet.

The good news: article marketing is a proven tool for growing your business through your website. The bad news: you have to write a lot in order for it to be most effective - and I do mean a lot.

How much? Some article marketing experts advise you to write five or six articles a day to keep yourself in the public’s mind. Remember, this is electronic media: one minute you’re the hottest thing out there, the next minute, you’re gone.

So, what can you write about so the well doesn’t run dry? Here are some ideas to get your creative side working for you.

What are the newest trends in your industry right now? Are you a dermatologist who supplies Botox? Write about its benefits to your patients. Do you have an alternative to Botox that is even better? Why is it better? What are some factors your patients should consider before going that route?

Is there something confusing about your industry that many people seem to misunderstand? For example, are you an advertising copywriter and everyone seems to think you deal with legal copyrights? Write an article and explain the difference. Are there some terms that make your clients’ eyes glaze over? Write a brief glossary that explains the legalese in an easy-to-understand way.

What is going on in your industry in the next few months? Many industries are cyclic, with the same events happening the same time every year. Remember: think two or three months ahead on the calendar, at least, to give yourself some lead time. Is it almost tax season? If so, are there tips you can give your customers on how to save on their taxes? Or, is it almost Christmas? Does your business offer a unique item that would make a great gift?

Now think about your particular company. Have you received any feedback from a client or customer about how your company helped them through some crisis? That’s great! Write about it. However, for article marketing, remember, it can be tricky: Free article content is not supposed to blatantly plug your company. You will probably have to change the names and situations just enough that the client will be unrecognizable in the article. But you can write the article so as to say, “Carol Smith’s house burned down, but thanks to new trends in insurance customer service, she was able to get help more quickly.” Your article can have links to your webpage where you can include Mrs. Smith’s testimonial, if you have her permission to do so.

One very effective way to brainstorm for article ideas is to come up with lists. What lists are helpful to your customers? “Ten things to do before you meet your financial advisor”; “Five ways to tell if your dog is healthy”; Six ways to choose a dermatologist” are all ideas that your potential customers will want to read. Once they do, they will want to visit your website or contact your company for more information.

Do and don’t articles can also be entertaining and informative. “Do take your dog’s leash on a trip to the vet. Don’t let Spike run wild in the office” can be helpful reminders. You can even use it on your own website, published in a checklist format that your customers can print off and keep on their refrigerator. Of course, you’d print it in such a way that your business contact information is at the bottom of the checklist.

Fun bits of trivia and history can make for an interesting article also. You could just list fun facts or make a short quiz. Just make sure that the information is truly interesting to your clients.

These are just some ways to brainstorm for article ideas. If you are truly stumped for ideas, just walk away from it for a while. You’ll be surprised at how much your brain will keep working on it without you being aware.

While article marketing is an intensive way to build public awareness in your business, it can be very effective. Try these ideas and soon your free articles will build interest in your company.



Amely Riskin

DMarie Holtz asked:


Need more sales? You may be missing out on more than you think! Here are 15 ways to make money with autoresponders…

Just imagine… an interested visitor who has been strolling through your site has finally come to just what she is looking for and is about to make a purchase.

It’s a sunny afternoon, and her cat, who happens to be sitting on the moss under the visitor’s large fifty-year-old snow-rose bonsai tree, suddenly jumps down, and the priceless tree topples over.

In the blink of an eye, your visitor exits your site, and your sale is dust - unless you have had the foresight to utilize an autoresponder that has captured her email address.

If you have installed an autoresponder, you can then follow-up with her, and in all probability, make the sale when the poor woman has finished repotting her precious bonsai.

Autoresponders are remarkable, versatile programs that do so much more than just automatically answer your email. Here are a few ideas that will help you to creatively and productively use your autoresponder to transform the casual visitor into a profitable customer.

Use your autoresponder to:

1. Publish a newsletter. Certain quality autoresponders will manage subscriptions and follow-up with interested prospects. Your newsletter can keep your visitors informed about your services or products, while building your reputation as a credible expert in your particular business.

2. Publish a newsletter only for your affiliates. Inform them of current sales you are running and of promotional material that your affiliates can use themselves to increase their commissions. Include tips, advice, and techniques that your affiliates can use to successfully go out and promote your business.

3. Write reviews. Cover books, software, music, e-books, movies, etc., and put each review in an autoresponder. Review your affiliate programs, using a link to your affiliate’s page in your autoresponder.

4. Distribute your articles. Writing and distributing targeted articles is a powerful tool to build your business credibility, bring traffic to your site, and increase your sales potential. If your articles contain valuable information, many editors will print what is known as a resource box for you. A resource box contains your bio and a brief description of your service or product. It can also contain your autoresponder address.

Let’s say you’ve written fifty articles. Put them on separate autoresponder accounts and create a master list that contains the titles of each article, the autoresponder address, and a brief abstract. Then promote your master list. Additionally, include your publishing guidelines so your affiliates can add their articles to your list, increasing the number of writers who are represented in your article list.

5. Create mailing lists. Inform subscribers to your articles when you’ve written new ones that they may want to publish in their own newsletter or website.

6. Automate your sales process. Use an ad to insure repeated exposure of your message, which has been proven to effectively increase sales. In your ad, put your autoresponder address where a visitor will be exposed to numerous marketing materials. This multiplies the chances of converting visitors into customers. For example, if you’re selling a particular product, put testimonials about how spectacular it is on your autoresponder, and add a detailed, enticing description of your product.

7. Distribute advertising. Let’s say you sell advertising on your website or in your newsletter or e-zine. Set your autoresponder to send the information about rates and how to place an ad automatically to all prospects’ email addresses. Then have your autoresponder follow-up. It can also send notification of any special deals you are currently offering.

8. Distribute an email course. Each day, have your autoresponder send out another lesson. Just be sure that each lesson has quality content - not a sales pitch. Your content will do the selling for you, and will do it much more effectively. You can include tips centered on a different topic for each lesson, illustrating how your product will benefit the reader. Include the tangible benefits the visitor will reap by purchasing your product.

Make sure to include a paragraph or two at the end of each lesson enticing your prospect to consider making a purchase.

9. Automate a reminder about your service or product after a visitor has completed your course. This will increase the possibility of sales from visitors who have taken your course but are dragging their feet about actually making a purchase. You can also use these reminders to promote new products or services, and the products and services of your affiliate programs.

10. Distribute free reports. This gives your visitor an idea of the type of information you can provide and the quality of your product or service. Make sure these reports are not sales letters or you will more than likely lose a potential customer than gain a sale.

11. Create trivia quizzes on your site and place the answers in an autoresponder. Your visitor will then be motivated to request your autoresponder, and you will have a record of the visitors’ email addresses who took your quiz. Or create a contest and have any visitors that enter send their responses to your autoresponder. Your autoresponder can be set-up to send them a confirmation of their entry.

12. Offer a trial version of your product. Give your prospects a sample of your ebook, course, software, membership, etc. People who are exposed to a little taste often end up wanting the whole pie. You can also capture their email addresses when you offer them a free trial from your website. Set up your autoresponder to give instructions on how to obtain their free trial, and then make sure to follow-up to try and close the sale.

13. Link to hidden pages on your autoresponder. For example, a hidden page could be your affiliate page that contains graphics, promotional articles, and text links that interested affiliates can make use of. Inform visitors that they may have free access to your affiliate page by simply requesting your autoresponder. You will then gather a list of visitors who may be interested in becoming your affiliates.

14. Use an autoresponder on your order page. Post a request form for visitors to be notified of special offers or discounts in the future. This creates a very effective mailing list that contains the names of people who are already your customers.

15. Put your links page on your autoresponder. It should contain up to fifty links that would be of particular interest to your visitors. Make sure to add your own promotional copy at the top or bottom of this page.

Now that you have proof that autoresponders can be used creatively, see if you can come up with even more than 15 ways to make money with an autoresponder.



ARCHIBALD

Ling Tong asked:


Take your English lessons in a different format when you take an English class online. This idea appeals to many adults who do not want or are unable to attend regular classes. You won’t have the benefit of a live instructor, but in many ways this is a good thing. When you attend class and you don’t understand the lesson, you may be fearful of asking questions or of asking the instructor to repeat the instruction. With the online English classes, you can repeat the instructions as often as you like to make sure you understand the lesson.

 

The best way to learn English is to immerse yourself in the language and you can do this when you take a class in English online. This is because all the lessons are presented in English along with a listening presentation focusing on the structure being presented in the lesson. You have practice exercises to complete and when you feel you are ready you can take a quiz on the lesson. In a regular class, the instructor usually has a schedule to follow and presents the quiz to all students at the same time. In an online course, you can choose when you want to take the quiz.

 

In a regular class in English, there will likely be many students with different native languages. It would be impossible for the instructor to speak all of these languages to offer further clarification. In the online classes, you have access to a dictionary in which you can translate English words into your own language and this makes learning English a whole lot easier for beginners. Simply click on the dictionary link and enter the English word that you don`t understand and choose your language to receive the translation that you will understand.

 

It is very difficult for Chinese speaking people to learn English, but with an English course for Chinese online this makes learning the language an easy task. The first unit starts off with learning common phrases in English and shows these phrases written in the Chinese language. If your native language is Arabic, you can still benefit from taking course in English online. Just about every language in the word is represented in the online dictionary.

 

You do get a chance to read English passages and books when you take such an online course. You can do this at your own pace and according to your individual interests. This means you won`t have assignments or reading that you have to complete by a certain date and you can take your time. Plus, you can read the passages aloud in the privacy of your own home and not feel any sense of embarrassment at having to speak in front of strangers. You can take your own notes and review any or all the lessons at any time.

 

If you do encounter difficulties, you do have access to an instructor who will answer your questions. There is also a community of English learners with whom you can correspond and this will enhance your learning how to write English passages in addition to the instruction and exercises provided on the site.



Ruth

Patrick Wellert asked:


Running Head: Learning Theories and Practices

Learning Theories and Practices: A Brief Synopsis

Patrick Wellert

ETC 547

Northern Arizona University

Abstract

The use of learning theories n education has been the foundation for growth and diversity within the profession. In order to assume a more active role in a student’s education one must be verse in all areas of education. The use of theories and practices such as; Behaviorism, Social and Cognitive Learning Theories, constructivism, and contructionism are just a few of the budding opportunities for teachers to better their students learning.

Introduction

            Becoming a teacher who helps students to search rather than follow is challenging and in many ways frightening. Using a lot of theories presented in this paper may be difficult and challenging but as educators it is the right thing to do. When educating it is unfortunate that most of what we seek to teach our students is of little or no interest to them. Even when the topics are of interest to students, the recommended methodologies for teaching the topics sometimes are not. Little wonder, then, why more of those magnificent moments don’t occur. (Brooks & Brooks, 93, 99).

Behaviorism

This is the foundation and basis for what we do in education. The basic beliefs and core of all theories come from this way of reasoning. This was the biggest break through in educational theories. B.F Skinner was influential in defining radical behaviorism, a philosophy codifying the basis of his school of research (named the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, or EAB.) While EAB differs from other approaches to behavioral research on numerous methodological and theoretical points, radical behaviorism departs from methodological behaviorism most notably in accepting treatment of feelings, states of mind and introspection as existent and scientifically treatable (Wikipedia.org).

This is a trial and error type of design in which people and animals were given several tests and based on their response received a positive or negative reaction.

Social Learning Theories

These beliefs are built upon the idea that people need interaction and cohesiveness amongst each other in order to learn and grow. “These beliefs suggest powerful new principles that can be, and in some cases are now being used to promote learning among children and adolescents, and even adults in formal educational settings” (Feden & Vogel, 2003).

The core beliefs behind this theory according to Nolan and Francis are:

1.      Knowledge is actively constructed by learners

2.      Prior knowledge greatly influences new learning

3.      Teachers must focus on how to help learners change their cognitive structures, rather than on their own teaching

4.      Learning is situated, and much of it is domain specific.

5.      Learning is a social endeavor more than an individual one. (Nolan and Francis 1992, 47-49)

Cognitive Learning Theories

            When studying or reviewing this theory it is important to learn one word and its definition: Introspection. “Introspection is the process we use to reflect on our own feelings and thoughts” (Feden & Vogel, 2003). Humans acquire knowledge by seeing others and then reflecting upon their behavior and even incorporating it into their own styles. It is the reason coaches have their players watch game film, the reason children are able to mimic their parents motions, and the reason we are able to learn to dance. The core of this theory can largely be attributed to Albert Bandura.

The process of this theory is largely attributed to the idea behind modeling. The chart below can help explain the idea behind modeling:

Attention

Retention

Production

Motivation

Draws attention to material from a book. Show how strike an Arc and run a bead while using Arc welding. Students place this information into their notes.

Student rehearses material practicing the welds as an individual or in small groups

Student produces a weld using Arc welding and following proper safety steps including safety equipment.

Teacher coaches and advises as students repeat attempts until desires weld is reached.

*Adaptation of Hamilton and Ghatala

Computers were being used to represent the way that humans processed information, and development of a run-able computer model of those operations seemed to be the most scientific way to operationalize them” (Jonassen, 2005). While computers are a great way to simulate a decision or a decision making process they still cannot replace the real thing. I believe that the human mind is more complicated and does not always react the same to the same problem every time.

Constructivism

“Building models requires that learners construct their own knowledge. Therefore it is important to assess the kinds and extent of knowledge construction by learners not the regurgitation of ideas previously delivered to them” (Jonassen, 2005).

The traditional methods include students reading the chapter and answering questions out of the textbook. Lectures, quizzes, and tests are all examples of items used in a traditional classroom. The disadvantage of this is that students act sort of like a holding cell for information usually remembering the required material until the test or quiz is given then release the information never to grasp it again. Students also transfer knowledge from textbook pages to worksheets in order to meet teacher objectives.

 In a constructivism classroom; students learn to build on previous experiences to better grasp knowledge, students share ideas and understanding of knowledge in group settings, students follow areas that interest them while building connections and witnessing patterns, and highlights learning by involving students into the learning process and eliminating fact driven lectures and tests. “Critical thinking skills are stable and not easily altered. The development of critical thinking emerges over time with lots of practice” (Jonassen, 2005). How does one practice this is my first thought? Are people practicing this without even knowing it? I believe that all of us are good at focusing on specific areas that we have passion for. Critical thinking can be developed and used in every aspect of our lives.

The Piaget design of constructivism can help explain the basics of beginning critical thinking skills:

1. An infant sees a cube

2. When mental and muscular functions allow the infant touches and holds the cube.

The basics of this application allows the infant to build on the non-grasping and then assimilate that into the grasping action. 

Constructionism

This theory is built upon the idea that knowledge is supplied by the learner and not the teacher (Papert, 1990). Constructionism is based on the sole idea that students will construct and gain knowledge as they do. The idea behind contructionism is not entirely new but one that is being newly discovered and used. Learning sciences research tells us that students learn much better “by doing” rather than “by listening.” This means that passive learning – the traditional lecture – is being replaced in our classrooms by more active learning activities that emphasize student problem solving, discussion, presentation and other “authentic” learning-by-doing-activities. (Day, 2004). By including students into the lesson it opens up a realm of possibilities because students can retain roughly only 10% of what they write down.

 

History of technology use in schools

Technology is the term first used with computer use in the classroom. “Technology based student projects help facilitates integrating technology and digital media into the curriculum” (Shelley et al, 2006)

There are numerous uses of technologies that have been used by teachers to include students into the classroom’s lesson. These include Interactive Whiteboards, Proximas, PowerPoint games, interactive DVDs, Ventrilo chat software, Myspace, Blackboard, and scavenger hunts. To put the uses of technology into an effective practice, teachers need to help students set achievable goals; encourage students to assess themselves and their peers; help them to work co-operatively in groups and ensure that they know how to exploit all the available resources for learning (Hall, 2006). The use of the theories described in this paper is an excellent example of ways to do this.

Summary

While technology and its uses become more popular it is important that the basics of learning especially the theories and practices are not forgotten. The master teacher needs to continue searching for ways to include technology into the lesson and not just give a lesson on

technology. This would serve as a major injustice to students. The foundation of education and

new theories must all be incorporated together to better the overall experience of education

Works Cited

Behaviorism (2008, November 7). In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved November 8, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Behaviorism

Brooks, J. G., & Brooks, M. G. (1993, 1999). In search of understanding: The case for

            Constructivist classrooms. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum

Day, J. (2004). Enhancing the classroom learning experience with web lectures. Retrieved May 31, 2008 from http://smartech.gatech.edu/dspace/handle/1853/65

Hall, B. (2008, March 4). Explorations in learning. Message posted to Student Centered Learning, archived at http://secondlanguagewriting.com/explorations/Archives/2006/Jul/Studentcent

eredLearning.html

Hamilton, R. and Ghatala, E. (1994). Learning and instruction. Boston: Mcgraw-Hill.

Jonassen, D. H. (2005). Modeling with technology: Mindtools for conceptual change (3rd. Ed.). Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0131703455. pg 29, 34

Methods of Teaching: Applying Cognitive Science to Promote Student Learning. Preston D.

            Feden & Robert M. Vogel. McGraw Hill, 2003. ISBN 0-07-230514-2.

Nolan, J., and Francis, P. (1992). Changing Perspectives in curriculum and instruction.

In C. Glickman (Ed.), Supervision in transition: The 1992 yearbook of association for supervision and curriculum development. VA: ASCD.

Papert, S. (1990). Introduction by Seymour Papert. In I. Harel (Ed.), Constructionist learning.

            Boston: MIT Laboratory.

Shelly, G. B., Cashman, T. J., Gunter, G. A., & Gunter,  R. E. (2006) Integrating Technology and

            Digital Media into the Classroom (4th Ed.). Thompson Course Technology pg 417.



Amber Mak

Michele PW asked:


Here’s a quick quiz:1) When I see a see a sunrise, I’m moved to:A. Compose a poem.B. Try and capture the beauty with my paints and brush.C. Stumble drunkenly into bed - boy that party was a lot of fun.D. Cover my face with my pillow and go back to sleep. Who in their right mind gets up early enough to look at sunrises?2) At work, I’m the person my coworkers go to when they need someone to:A. Think up a new theme for the office party (especially if they want it to be a bit wild and off the wall).B. Get people excited for the party.C. Organize the party.D. Clean up after the party.3) In school, I was considered one of the:A. Brains.B. Jocks.C. Nerds.D. Nothing. I was kicked out my sophomore year.Now take this test again and write down what you think a creative person would choose as his or her answer.Scoring: Well, there’s no real scoring here. The point is to get you thinking about creativity and stereotypes.In another creativity article I wrote, “Quiz: Are Your Creative?”, I pointed out that the biggest difference between creative people and those who aren’t is creative people believe they’re creative and uncreative people believe they aren’t.But, it’s one thing to say it and something completely different to live it.I believe one of the things that prevent people from fully realizing their creative potential is the idea of stereotypes. They think they cannot be creative because they don’t look, act, live, etc., a certain way. And, unfortunately, that belief can become so powerful it truly does cripple their creativity.Let’s take a closer look at these three stereotypes.1) When I see a sunrise…You can still be a creative person and not be moved to paint a sunrise or write a poem about it. Everyone is different and everyone draws their creativity from different things. Me, you couldn’t catch me anywhere near a sunrise without an IV drip of coffee in my arm. And even if that did happen, I’d be lucky if I could reach the creativity level of a turnip.The point is every muse is different and every muse dances to a different drum (or maybe it’s not even a drum, maybe it’s a French horn.) Sunrises make you yawn? So what? Find what gets your muse dancing and go with it.2) At work…You don’t have to act like a Bohemian to be creative. In fact, that image of a black-clad, beret-wearing, long-cigarette-smoking Artiste has been the bane of many would-be artists. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve run into who don’t have time to BE creative because they’re too busy trying to LOOK creative.Creativity comes in many shapes and sizes. It also dresses in a variety of outfits - from t-shirts and paint-splatted jeans to suits and ties to cocktail dresses to, yes, the all-black look.Don’t worry about how your creativity relates to how you look or act. There’s no correlation between the two.3) In school…Again, there are no studies linking creativity to getting bad grades or being a social misfit. Creativity is just as likely to have been class president as it was to have been caught smoking in the bathroom. Or kicked out of school altogether. (Now, whether those schoolyard memories are fodder for creative pursuits is a topic for another day.)Basically it comes down to this - creativity doesn’t fit into any neat box. Whether that box may be unconventional or conservative. Whether it’s covered with clay and furiously spinning pots or impeccably dressed and churning out million-dollar deals. Whether it’s dressed in black and discussing Satre in a coffee shop or pushing a stroller in small-town America.Creativity is just that. Creative. It doesn’t care what package it comes in.It only cares that you use it.Creativity Exercise - Take Away The Power of StereotypesGo back to the quiz. Look at the answers you chose for yourself. (If one of my answers didn’t fit - which is entirely possible - turn your answer into fill-in-the-blank.) Look at the answer you instinctively felt a creative person would have selected. I’m going after instinct here - don’t worry about what you read in the article. Or go back and see how you answered before you read the article.Do you have two different answers? Describe what makes the answers different and why.Do you describe yourself in completely opposite terms as you would someone creative?Why is that? Do some journaling on the answer.Now try describing yourself again and this time add the statement “and that makes me creative” or “yet I still am creative” at the end. For instance: “I hate sunrises and that makes me creative. I was a model student yet still I am creative.” Write these out ten times each day until you begin to believe it.(Source: Freeing Your Creativity: A Writer’s Guide by Marshall Cook)



ARCHER

Eric Garner asked:


1. Manage Your Interruptions. One of the reasons why we allow others to take over our time at work is our need to know what is going on. Henry Mintzberg, professor of management at McGill University in Montreal, discovered that the majority of a manager’s time is spent receiving and responding to hearsay, rumour, and news. Managers feel a great need to know what’s going on and they do this by letting themselves be interrupted by others. If this is you, you need to be aware of how much of your time is usefully spent in this way, and how much is wasted. In short, you need to know how to manage your interruptions.

2. Avoid These Three Groups. One of the keys to managing your interruptions is to distinguish between people who bring you useful information and those who don’t. This latter group comprises three types in particular that you should avoid like the plague:

• moaners, whingers and complainers

• the coffee-set who congregate during work

• the watering-hole set who congregate after work.

Socialising with your team is fine if you can control it. Excessive socializing is like begin sucked into a time-consuming swamp.

3. Stay Clear Of the Gossipers. in 1650, Jeremy Taylor, chaplain to King Charles I, wrote a book called “Holy Living” in which he warned against the dangers of wasting time on gossip. He said, “Avoid the company of busybodies and all such as are apt to talk much to little purpose. For no man can be provident of his time that is not prudent in the choice of his company. And if one of the speakers be vain, tedious and trifling, he that hears and he that answers in the discourse are equal losers of their time.”

4. Learn To Be Brief. In business, your time is your money. Wasting time with unnecessarily long meetings with others is a way to let money trickle down the drain. Channing H Cox once visited President Calvin Coolidge whom he had succeeded as Governor of Massachusetts. Cox, who was often detained at his desk until well into the evening, was astonished to learn that Coolidge was able to see so many people and still leave the office at 5.00pm.

“What’s the difference?” Cox asked.

“You talk back,” replied the President.

5. Get The Briskness Habit. When you learn how to be brisk with others, without being rude, you’ll find a great ally in your quest to control your time. Clement Attlee, prime minister of post-war Britain, was known for his briskness at cabinet meetings. His knack was to stifle unnecessary talk. One of Attlee’s exchanges ran as follows:

“A good paper, minister. Do you need to add anything?” (ie there’s no need to say anything if it’s just a repeat of what’s in the paper).

“Has anyone any objections?” (ie don’t say anything if it’s already been covered).

“Right, then. Next item.”

6. Be Graciously Ruthless With Unwanted Callers. So, what if you do get people who want to trap you in your office and steal your time? How do you get rid of them without being rude? The answer is to be polite but determined. Here are some techniques to use:

• ask directly what they want and how long they might be

• suggest a time when you know you’ll be free

• have a regular “green period” slot when you are free each day to see people

• don’t succomb to the temptation of a break from what you’re doing

• agree to meet them at their workplace

• point out that what you are doing is important and ask if their interruption is more important

• use appropriate body language to indicate they are not welcome to stay, for example, stand up, perch on the edge of the desk, move towards the door, avoid eye contact.

Use these techniques and you’ll be letting people know that while you’re willing to be gracious with people, you’re going to be ruthless with your time.

The way you manage your time is one of the most public ways you manage your life. Treat your time as something that is cheap or worthless and you’ll fall prey to the Time Stealers. Treat your time as precious and valuable, and you’ll defeat the time stealers and stay time-rich.

2005, Eric Garner, ManageTrainLearn.com For instant solutions to all your management training needs, visit www.managetrainlearn.com and download amazing FREE training software. And while you’re there, make sure you try out our prize quiz, get your surprise bonus gift, and subscribe to our fortnightly newsletter. Go and get the ManageTrainLearn experience now!





Patrick